Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: What Players-Only Meeting Means for D12's Future

Amidst trade rumors that continue to swirl around superstar center Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic held a players-only meeting after last night's disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

The defeat dropped Orlando to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, leading to some unhappy campers in the locker room.

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel provided some details:

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The Orlando Magic held a quick team meeting after Thursday night's loss, and some voices were raised in frustration.

The yelling was audible outside the dressing-room door.

"We talked about everybody coming back together," Magic forward Ryan Anderson said. "We got to keep each other accountable and make sure we play with great effort every night."

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It's another example of the growing frustrations around the franchise, which are only being highlighted because of spotlight Howard has placed on the team. You have to wonder if general manager Otis Smith is starting to feel more pressure to start seeking possible trade options.

The Magic aren't built to succeed in their current state. Not due to a lack of talent, but rather dysfunction throughout the roster. It can't be easy for the other players on the roster when Howard is getting asked about where he wants to play next on a nightly basis.

That's been illustrated by lackluster play at times, which is what Anderson was talking about in his comments. There are stretches when it seems like the Magic are just going through the motions.

Everybody on the roster has to understand that's not going to cut it if they want to knock off the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls in an extended series. Those squads have too much talent to be eliminated by a team that isn't on the same page.

It's something Smith and other key Magic officials will need to consider before the trade deadline. While they have been holding out hope Howard would change his mind and sign a long-term extension, the chances of that appear to be slim to none.

So, if he doesn't want to be a major part of the team's future, they are better off trading him before the locker room situation deteriorates any more. The surrounding circumstances are clearly putting unneeded pressure on the shoulder of Howard's teammates.

It's impossible to know what the Magic could get in return for him since the speculation has been all over the place so far, but you'd have to figure at least one, and probably two, impact players would be coming to Orlando.

If that's what it takes to get this team back on the same page before the playoffs, Smith shouldn't hesitate to make a deal. Howard's situation simply isn't worth the headache anymore.